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West Horndon Primary School

British Values

Fairisle Junior School - British Values

At WHPS, we are committed to developing pupils who are responsible, respectful and active citizens. We actively promote Fundamental British Values through our curriculum, assemblies, pupil leadership opportunities, and the wider life of our school community.

The Department for Education expects all schools to promote Fundamental British Values.

These are:

  • Democracy

  • The rule of law

  • Individual liberty

  • Mutual respect

  • Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

British Values are closely linked to our school ethos and the way we teach children to live well together in modern Britain.

Democracy

We teach children that democracy means having a voice, listening to others, and understanding that decisions are made fairly.

At West Horndon Primary School, democracy is promoted through:

  • our Pupil Parliament, where pupils represent their peers and help shape aspects of school life

  • Class Councils, where children discuss ideas and concerns and learn how to share their views respectfully

  • voting opportunities (e.g. choosing class roles, pupil representatives, or activities)

  • regular class discussions, debates and circle time

We also help children understand democracy in Britain through curriculum learning and real-life experiences, including:

  • a visit to the Houses of Parliament, which is one of our “50 Things” curriculum entitlement experiences

 

These opportunities help pupils understand the importance of participation, fairness, and respectful discussion.

The Rule of Law

We help children understand that rules are important because they keep everyone safe, ensure fairness, and protect people’s rights.

We promote the rule of law through:

  • clear behaviour expectations and consistent routines

  • our school rules which are taught, modelled and reinforced

  • learning about right and wrong, fairness and consequences

  • assemblies and PSHE lessons focusing on rights, responsibility and choices

Children are supported to understand that rules exist to help everyone learn and thrive in a safe environment.

Individual Liberty

We encourage pupils to become confident, independent learners who are able to make choices and express themselves respectfully.

We promote individual liberty through:

  • helping children develop resilience and self-confidence

  • encouraging children to take responsibility through leadership roles

  • supporting pupils to make safe choices

  • teaching safeguarding and online safety, including how to report worries

Children learn that they have rights and freedoms, but also responsibilities to ensure these freedoms do not harm others.

Mutual Respect

Respect is central to life at West Horndon Primary School. We teach children to treat others kindly and fairly in everything they do.

We promote mutual respect through:

  • modelling respectful behaviour as adults

  • teaching children how to work cooperatively and resolve disagreements calmly

  • celebrating success and effort

  • supporting children to recognise that everyone has different strengths, needs and viewpoints

Children learn that respect should be shown to everyone—both adults and children.

Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

West Horndon Primary School is proud to be a welcoming and inclusive community.

We teach children that differences are normal and valuable, and that everyone should be treated with dignity, regardless of their background, identity, faith, or beliefs.

We promote tolerance through:

  • curriculum learning in RE and across wider subjects

  • assemblies and themed events that teach children about diversity

  • respectful discussions that encourage understanding and empathy

No Outsiders

As part of our commitment to inclusion and equality, we use No Outsiders within our curriculum.

This supports children to:

  • understand and celebrate difference

  • develop empathy and respect

  • recognise discrimination and unfairness

  • understand how we live together positively in modern Britain 

Picture News: British Values in current events

At West Horndon Primary School, we also use Picture News weekly to explore current events in an age-appropriate way.

This helps pupils to:

  • understand the world around them

  • develop speaking and listening skills

  • consider different viewpoints

  • link current issues to British Values 

These weekly discussions help children learn how to think critically, express opinions respectfully, and become informed citizens.

British Values across school life

British Values are not taught in isolation — they are woven into everyday life through:

  • our curriculum (including PSHE, RE, History, Geography and English)

  • assemblies and class discussions

  • pupil leadership (Pupil Parliament and Class Councils)

  • our “50 Things” entitlement opportunities

  • behaviour expectations and our positive school culture

  • safeguarding and online safety teaching

 

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